A grand jury in Portland has indicted famed jazz musician and educator Thara Memory on multiple counts of sex abuse.
John Rosman / OPB
A grand jury in Portland has indicted the celebrated jazz educator Thara Memory on several counts of sex abuse.
Memory has shared stages with Dizzy Gillespie, James Brown and others. He’s perhaps best known as a mentor to jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spaulding. Their collaboration on Spaulding’s 2012 CD led to a Grammy award for a song they arranged together — “City of Roses.”
Charging documents list eight counts of third-degree sex abuse, two counts of attempted sex abuse and one count of harassment. Police say the investigation originated with a complaint that surfaced in September about Memory’s conduct with a student.
Police say they believe there may be other victims and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.